Cruzar la frontera - Border crossing

In Washington D.C. there is a debate ensuing which could affect the future of the economy of America. It is a debate which enculcates opportunity, education, labor, prices of products, and what is and what is not to be considered to be acceptable in the U.S.A. The issue of which I speak is that of "illegal" immigration.
So just what is all the debate about? Illegal immigration affects everything from healthcare, to the job market to education. The two sides of the debate are to stiffen current laws about illegal immigration especially between the U.S. and Mexico border or to allow illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain work visas, which allow them to legally be in the country for work purposes. Making more stern laws about immigration between the border could jam up the court system and cost taxpayers additional dollars in both the cost of not having cheap labor for products and services and the increased border security needs (i.e., manpower and structures such as fences to deter illegal border crossing). However, such laws may help bring down healthcare costs and welfare expenditures spent addressing this population. On the flip side of the coin, work visas would keep many of our product and service prices low while requiring those in possession of such visas to pay taxes, abide by the laws of the land, and other measures to insure a smoother transition into American society such as learning English for example. The arguments for both sides are endless.
Currently, protests in states affected by the debate have broken out. With images reminiscent of the Civil Rights movement of the 50's and 60's we see masses of immigrants taking to the streets, walking out of school, walking off of jobs to voice the need for equity in the issue. The protesters have been met with fire hoses and policemen, which try to corral protesters and prevent mob hysteria from taking over.
But are these actions justified? Should individuals from Mexico that seek better opportunities for themselves and their families be allowed to enter the country for the purposes of work and education? What are some of the negative effects that could result from passing such legislation? What would you do if better opportunity were just a "fence" away from your grasp? And if the legislation were not to pass, would you be willing to pay higher prices for the products and services that you now buy cheaply because of the cheap labor provided by illegal immigrants?